Hosea 13

The Lord's Anger Against Israel

1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Parallel theme: Hosea 11:2

2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrificeSacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach). The Hebrew zevach (זֶבַח) denotes a sacrifice or offering—an animal slaughtered for worship. Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29). kiss the calves. Parallel theme: Hosea 2:8, 1 Kings 19:18, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:4, Romans 11:4

3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. Parallel theme: Hosea 6:4, Psalms 1:4, 68:2, Isaiah 17:13, Daniel 2:35

4 Yet I am the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. Salvation: Isaiah 43:3, Acts 4:12. References God: Hosea 12:9

5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. Parallel theme: Exodus 2:25, Deuteronomy 2:7, 8:15, 32:10, Psalms 1:6, 31:7, 63:1, 142:3, Nahum 1:7, Galatians 4:9 +5

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Parallel theme: Nehemiah 9:35, Psalms 10:4

7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: Parallel theme: Hosea 5:14, Jeremiah 5:6, Lamentations 3:10

8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 17:8

9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. References Israel: Hosea 14:1. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 33:26, Jeremiah 2:17, 2:19, 5:25

10 I will be thy king: where is any other that may saveSave: יָשַׁע (Yasha). The Hebrew yasha (יָשַׁע) means to save or deliver—rescue from danger or distress. This is the root of 'Jesus' (Yeshua), meaning 'YHWH saves.' God alone is Savior: 'I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour' (Isaiah 43:11). thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? Kingdom: Hosea 8:4, 10:3

11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrathWrath: אַף (Aph). The Hebrew aph (אַף) literally means 'nose' or 'nostrils,' idiomatically expressing wrath or anger—God's righteous indignation against sin. Yet God is 'slow to anger' (Exodus 34:6) and 'abundant in mercy.'. Kingdom: 1 Samuel 10:19

12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness. is hid. Sin: Job 14:17. Parallel theme: Romans 2:5

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 19:3, Psalms 48:6, Proverbs 22:3, Isaiah 13:8, 26:17, 37:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 +2

14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeemRedeem: גָּאַל (Gaal). The Hebrew gaal (גָּאַל) means to redeem or act as kinsman-redeemer (go'el)—buying back family property or relatives. It foreshadows Christ redeeming His people through His blood. them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. Redemption: Job 33:24, Psalms 49:15. Parallel theme: Psalms 16:10, 30:3, 71:20, 86:13, Isaiah 25:8, 26:19, Revelation 20:13, 21:4 +5

15 Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. Parallel theme: Genesis 41:52, 49:22, Jeremiah 4:11, Ezekiel 17:10, 19:12

16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. Word: 2 Kings 8:12. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 15:16, Isaiah 13:16, Amos 1:13, Nahum 3:10